1. The Black Sox Scandal (1919)
In 1919, eight members of the Chicago White Sox were accused of intentionally losing the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for money from a gambling syndicate. The scandal, orchestrated by Arnold Rothstein, rocked the baseball world. The players involved, including star "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, were acquitted in court but were banned for life from professional baseball by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
2. Lance Armstrong Doping Scandal (2012)
Lance Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, was stripped of his titles in 2012 after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) found him guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Armstrong had long denied doping but later admitted to it in a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey. The scandal not only ended Armstrong's cycling career but also tarnished his legacy and the sport of cycling.
3. The FIFA Corruption Scandal (2015)
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted several top FIFA officials on charges of corruption, bribery, and money laundering. The scandal revealed widespread corruption within the organization, including allegations of vote-buying for World Cup hosting rights. FIFA President Sepp Blatter resigned amid the scandal, and numerous officials were convicted and sentenced to prison.
4. Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Incident (1994)
In 1994, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked and injured by a hitman hired by the ex-husband of her rival, Tonya Harding. The assault aimed to remove Kerrigan from competition, allowing Harding a better chance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the Winter Olympics. Harding was found to have knowledge of the attack and was banned for life from competitive figure skating.
5. The Penn State Child Sex Abuse Scandal (2011)
Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach at Penn State University, was convicted of sexually abusing young boys over a period of many years. The scandal implicated university officials, including head coach Joe Paterno, for failing to report Sandusky’s actions. Paterno was fired, and the NCAA imposed severe sanctions on Penn State, including vacating wins and a postseason ban.
6. The BALCO Scandal (2003)
The Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) scandal broke in 2003, revealing that the company had supplied numerous athletes, including baseball players Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi, with steroids and other PEDs. The scandal led to federal indictments and increased scrutiny of doping in sports, resulting in stricter drug testing policies.
7. The Russian Doping Scandal (2016)
An extensive state-sponsored doping program in Russia was exposed, affecting many sports, including track and field and the Olympics. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of widespread drug use and cover-ups orchestrated by the Russian government. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) imposed sanctions, including banning Russia from competing under its flag in certain events.
8. The NBA Betting Scandal (2007)
NBA referee Tim Donaghy was found to have bet on games he officiated and provided inside information to gamblers. Donaghy’s actions compromised the integrity of the games and led to a federal investigation. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, and the scandal forced the NBA to re-evaluate its policies on officiating and gambling.
9. The Calciopoli Scandal (2006)
The Calciopoli scandal involved top Italian soccer clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, and Fiorentina, in a match-fixing scheme to influence referee appointments. The scandal led to Juventus being stripped of two Serie A titles and relegated to a lower division. Other clubs received point deductions and fines, and several officials and referees were banned from the sport.
10. Tiger Woods Infidelity Scandal (2009)
In 2009, golf superstar Tiger Woods was involved in a highly publicized scandal following revelations of his extramarital affairs. The scandal led to a loss of sponsorship deals, a temporary break from professional golf, and a tarnished public image. Woods later admitted to his transgressions and sought treatment for sex addiction.